Prospect Info: [2023 - 133rd] Sam Harris (NCAA - University of Denver)

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

He had a very respectable freshman season, on a powerhouse national championship team where he wasn't getting a ton of opportunities early. He's definitely an under the radar candidate for a big second year, now that he's more established. He has a decent nose for the net and he seems to know how to complement the more talented players on his line. Keep an eye on that kid.

Not unlike Davidson?

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Not unlike Davidson?

Harris has a bit more polish IMO, on his puck skills especially. Davidson is more of a north/south keep it simple type.

 

[montreal]

He had a very respectable freshman season, on a powerhouse national championship team where he wasn't getting a ton of opportunities early. He's definitely an under the radar candidate for a big second year, now that he's more established. He has a decent nose for the net and he seems to know how to complement the more talented players on his line. Keep an eye on that kid.

I didn't get to see too much of him this year, wasn't overly impressed, keep in mind he turns 21 a week into next season. I thought he looked quicker at camp though, he needed it as I liked him in the USHL (he was teammates with Jack Smith) as he works hard and had a solid physical game but just looked too slow imo. Now that he's got more speed, we'll see what the Habs want to do with him after next season.

 

[Tyson]

I didn't get to see too much of him this year, wasn't overly impressed, keep in mind he turns 21 a week into next season. I thought he looked quicker at camp though, he needed it as I liked him in the USHL (he was teammates with Jack Smith) as he works hard and had a solid physical game but just looked too slow imo. Now that he's got more speed, we'll see what the Habs want to do with him after next season.

I can see a breakout season of 25+ goals.

 

[HuGort]

Harris with another goal. Denver up 5-1 after 2 periods. Both of his goals are on the PP.

Does Harris have a legit chance at NHLer. Late round pick

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

Does Harris have a legit chance at NHLer. Late round pick

I definitely think so, but I'm an optimist.

 

[montreal]

Does Harris have a legit chance at NHLer. Late round pick

depends on your definition of legit chance but until the speed/skating improve I would say no. But with prospects it's always about progress or a lack of so you just have to give it time to see how things unfold. If he can keep progressing then who knows.

 

[WeThreeKings]

depends on your definition of legit chance but until the speed/skating improve I would say no. But with prospects it's always about progress or a lack of so you just have to give it time to see how things unfold. If he can keep progressing then who knows.

At least he does have a skill of scoring around the net.. that's something we've always lacked, which is why I like the fit for Kapanen as that's where he does most of his damage.

Still a massive long shot, but he does bring something that not a lot of others in the pool currently do.

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

At least he does have a skill of scoring around the net.. that's something we've always lacked, which is why I like the fit for Kapanen as that's where he does most of his damage.

Still a massive long shot, but he does bring something that not a lot of others in the pool currently do.

Plus he works really hard, which is an often overlooked quality that helps a lot getting to the show.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Not unlike Davidson?

Harris is a better skater than Davidson. But Davidson plays a heavier game.

Does Harris have a legit chance at NHLer. Late round pick

They way he skates, anything is possible.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Sam Harris scores goals around the net, a skill we miss although I expect Kapanen to start bringing soon.

 

[Saku K]

After his strong finish last year, Sam Harris is up to a strong start 5 g + 2 a in 5 games. One of our most overlooked prospects imo. He barely cracked the top-30 in our annual 'HF posters' list.

He has gained some size as well from his original 5.11 180 pounds, I've seen up to 6.1 190 pounds.

He has enough size/skating/motor/physicality/finishing touch to earn a contract IMO and make some noise at the pro level whether he makes it as a NHL bottom-6 forward or a strong AHLer remains in the balance. Still good news for a 5th round pick.

 

[morhilane]

He has gained some size as well from his original 5.11 180 pounds, I've seen up to 6.1 190 pounds.

Are you sure it's the same Sam Harris? Because he didn't look 6.1 back in July at the dev camp.

 

[SlafySZN]

Are you sure it's the same Sam Harris? Because he didn't look 6.1 back in July at the dev camp.

Listed at 5'11 190 on the Denver NCAA website

Sam Harris - Men's Ice Hockey - University of Denver Athletics

Sam Harris (12) Forward - NHL: Selected by the Montreal Canadiens in Round 5 (No. 133 Overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. Honors and Awards: 2024 NCAA National Champion

denverpioneers.com

 

[Adam Michaels]

Sam Harris scores goals around the net, a skill we miss although I expect Kapanen to start bringing soon.

Harris has a nose for the net. I think that he will top out at the AHL level if he does turn pro. But guys like that, who do have a skill in getting in the dirty areas and finding ways to score do have the potential to make it to the NHL. Gallagher's made a career out of it as a 5th round pick.

 

[Adam Michaels]

My guess is if he has a strong year and he continues the consistency in which he finished last year with and started this year, he will be signed to an AHL deal for next year. They still have his rights until 2027 so no rush to sign him to an ELC yet. Go the RHP, Simoneau, Davidson route.

He was drafted as an overager, so unless he wants to continue his education, I don't think he'll do his 4 years of NCAA. I think they'll sign him to an AHL contract.

He might top out at the AHL level. But he has a skillset that not a lot of guys have. He has a nose for the net. He will go to those dirty areas and find a way to score the goal. And that's something Gallagher made a career out of. So you can't fully rule out Harris ever making it because not everyone is willing to get in there.